'Ups And Downs' For Former Toon Stars

10 May 2010 11:27:04

Michael Chopra looks to be heading to Wembley ... while another former Newcastle star, Mark Stimson, saw the other end of the spectrum with relegation. Peter Whittingham's superb second-half free-kick ensured Cardiff will defend a slender 1-0 lead over Leicester in the Welsh capital on Wednesday night in the second leg of their Coca-Cola Championship play-off semi-final. Cardiff boss Dave Jones felt it was a deserved victory after watching his side create the most chances, and Chopra hit a post. However ... under-fire Gillingham boss Mark Stimson has insisted he will not resign after the club's relegation to League Two was confirmed on Saturday. Goals from Wycombe trio Matt Phillips, Alan Bennett and Kevin Betsy - combined with other results for Exeter, Tranmere and Hartlepool - condemned the Gills to an instant return to the bottom tier of the Football League. Angry Gills fans chanted 'Stimson out' throughout the second half at Adams Park, but Stimson has vowed to stay on. Stimson said: "I feel so low. Last week was fantastic and we gave ourselves a chance but we haven't performed. We all have to look at ourselves - me as a manager and the players as players - and ask 'did I do enough?' "I don't know if I will be manager next season, I'm contracted but that will be up to the chairman, he'll make that decision. You can see the supporters at the end weren't too happy and there were shouts of my name out. "To get the promotion last year and be on such a high, and then to come straight back down is a massive body blow and something we weren't expecting. I never thought we would go down in my wildest dreams. I'm up for the challenge next season - I never duck a challenge. But the squad needs changing because there's certain personnel not up to it."